SOCIAL SUPPORT MEDIATES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIV STIGMA, DEPRESSION, AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV
Main Article Content
Keywords
Social Support, Depression Quality of Life, Mediation AIV AIDs Patients
Abstract
Background: HIV/AIDS remains a major global public health challenge, affecting more than 38 million people worldwide. In Pakistan’s conservative sociocultural context, stigma related to HIV is widespread and contributes substantially to psychological distress among people living with HIV (PLWH), leading to depression and poor quality of life (QoL). Social support may act as a protective factor by buffering the adverse effects of stigma on mental health and well-being.
Objective: To examine the mediating role of social support in the relationship between HIV-related stigma, depression, and quality of life among PLWH attending a tertiary care hospital in Rahim Yar Khan.
Study Design and Setting: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the HIV Center Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from 12-2-2024 to 15-9-2024.
Methodology: A total of 100 diagnosed HIV-positive patients were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through validated questionnaires assessing HIV stigma, perceived social support, depressive symptoms, and quality of life. Mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the indirect effects of social support on the relationships between stigma and depression, and stigma and QoL.
Results: Higher HIV-related stigma was significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms and reduced QoL. Social support significantly mediated the relationship between HIV stigma and depression (β = 3.21, p < 0.01). Additionally, social support demonstrated full mediation between stigma and QoL (β = 4.13, p < 0.01), indicating that higher perceived social support was associated with lower depression levels and better quality of life despite the presence of stigma.
Conclusion: Social support plays a crucial protective role in mitigating the negative psychological impact of HIV-related stigma among PLWH. Integrating social support–focused interventions, such as peer support and family-based counseling, into routine HIV care may significantly improve mental health and quality of life, particularly in rural and high-stigma settings.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Sadia Nikhet
Assistant Professor, Department of /Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan,
Mahwish Adnan
Senior Registrar, Department of /Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan,
Zaib Un Nisa
Assistant Professor, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre,
Sarmad Mushtaq
District Consultant Psychiatrist, DHQ Hospital Bahawalnagar,
Sadia Batool
Clinical Psychologist, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan,
Fozia Bibi
Clinical Psychologist, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar khan,
